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Printing For Theater.

1957. San Francisco: 1957.

Folio (10 x 15 inch), 57 pp. with dozens of original playbills from the stage productions of the San Francisco-based Interplayers bound in, tipped in, or laid into a rear pocket. The endpapers are from a production of Hamlet. Handmade Tovil paper with deckle edges. Chapter headings by Nuiko Haramaki printed in various colours. Full linen cloth, covers block printed in green, backstrip titled in red. Stain to lower outer corner of both covers, not affecting text block. Original prospectus in original envelope laid in along with a 1 page, typewritten letter on Wilson’s letterhead, dated August 16, 1956 and signed by Wilson in ink, in which he informs the subscriber (Arnold Horwitch) that “Because of the complications of binding-in the many programs the work is proceeding more slowly than expected”.

§ Limited edition of 250 copies printed by Adrian Wilson, of which this is number 43. The Interplayers were founded in 1946 by conscientious objectors, Quakers, and others who had met at a Civilian Public Service camp in Oregon following World War II. Adrian Wilson was associated with the players from the start, printing programs and other materials at a press installed in the lobby of the theater itself. This volume records the early history of the Interplayers and is extensively illustrated with original examples of Wilson’s work. An important document in the history of West Coast radical theater and printing. Item #105820